Newton had a fantastic season in this, his junior year. He has been a rare, journeyman of college football playing for schools all across the Southeast region of our nation. He began his career as a Gator, a rival of Auburn's in the SEC. While there at Florida, Newton backed up college football legend Tim Tebow, but found legal trouble and later transferred to Blinn Junior College in Texas. In his sophomore year, he led his new team to the National Junior College Championship title. With his stock at an all-time high and in search of his third school in three years, Newton's father Cecil shopped his son around like a trophy racehorse. Cecil Newton accepted offers from Auburn and Mississippi State for his son's services and Auburn Head Coach Gene Chizik won out in the bidding. This is all, of course, pure speculation and under investigation by the FBI and NCAA.
Despite these charges, Newton didn't lose any time on the field and worked his way in to the BCS National Championship game. He piled up a season reminiscent of Vince Young’s final season in Texas, were Young led the Longhorns to a National Championships. Newton’s final statistics for 2010 were 1,409 yards rushing with 20 TD’s and 2,589 yards passing with 28 TD’s coupled with only 6 interceptions. Statistically one of the most impressive seasons in history, Newton’s exceptional play also led his Tigers to the SEC Championship trophy. Newton’s consistent play in the toughest conference in football is enough to win a Heisman alone. Look at Jason White for Oklahoma in 2003. He won the Heisman with numbers less impressive than Newton and with an ability viewed to be less than that of Newton. Newton piled up 8 more TD’s and threw 8 fewer interceptions than White, while lighting up the highlight reels on a weekly basis. To me, this resume is conclusive of a unanimous vote in favor of Cam Newton as the Heisman winner of 2010. But. One lousy three letter word. But. Cameron Newton will win the 2010 Heisman, but it will only be temporary. Newton’s Heisman will face the same doomed fate that Reggie Bush’s trophy saw in 2005. Bush’s trophy was recently taken after a highly publicized story regarding his eligibility and accepting of booster money for his parents. Newton and Bush losing their trophies under the same tragic circumstances brings into question the state of college football.
I understand the issues here dealing with integrity and honesty within the realm of eligibility in collegiate athletics, but I feel that it needs to be looked at again. I have a creeping suspicion that Newton and Bush are not the only two athletes in the country to receive illegal benefits. Also, I feel that this issue is much bigger than just a few Heisman Trophy winners. Over time, I hope the NCAA reconsiders and looks at the big picture. Newton and Bush are more innocent, in my opinion, than the record shows. By reconsidering, maybe the NCAA can allow history to look kindly upon these great NCAA heroes, instead of looking at them as the cheaters that they appear to be.
BoBo KlongerBo
Well written Troy! I have always been mystified by the fact that these Universities that these young men play for generate MILLIONS of dollars by exploiting these athletes, yet the athletes themselves can't even hold a job. It's unrealistic to continue to believe that kids that are going to one day be richer than most of the Unversities benefactors will continue to be able to do it for nothing. This type of thing happened in the past and will continue to happen, but due to the technological advances and instant information it is just harder to hide! Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Newton will win, but I'm not so sure the NCAA will take his Heisman away. If I'm correct, I think the NCAA ruled that Newton had no knowledge of his father's wrongdoings. Still, I can't wait for his speech. "I would like to thank God, without him I wouldn't be here. I would also like to thank my parents, especially my dad Cecil..."
ReplyDeleteActually Ryan these football programs may make millions, but in end the program doesn't come out positive they spend more than they make and not all their profits go to their programs. In Auburn's case they may be able to come out ahead if they win the National Championship, but other than that most likely not. And countering the post I think this voting will be close, it obviously will be hard to not vote for Newton but according to ESPN and their many correspondents many voters don't think they want to vote for Newton, especially if his trophy could be taken away a year later. Instead I think they will give Luck the vote. Also I don't understand NCAA rulings, one of the reasons Reggie Bush went under fire was because his family recieved payments, so why is it different with Newton
ReplyDeleteI think what it comes down to is that USC knew about the Bush situation, Bush knew about it, and neither admitted any wrongdoing when he was there. I could be wrong, but I think the NCAA found that Newton simply did not know about his father's wrong doings. But to counter your point Charlie, I think the other two candidates, with all-do respect to Kellen Moore, would split votes if the voters don't vote for Newton. There is an Eastern bias in College football, and for sure an SEC bias, but Newton doesn't need either to help him win. He's the front runner by miles. Luck and James are close enough where neither will finish well above the other. In the end, the vote may be closer than it should be, but the result will be the same.
ReplyDeleteI've been half way right thus far...
ReplyDeleteNow we wait until Cam gets drafted. We will revisit this in 2011.
Hey thanks for reading Ryan! Loving the support